The 27-year-old will return to Queensland, signing a three-year deal to return to the club, in a full-time capacity, until at least the end of 2027.
Upton’s return comes five years after the Rockhampton-born superstar made her NRLW debut for the Broncos in the club’s inaugural squad, winning premierships with Brisbane in 2019 and 2020.Upton won the Dally M Player of the Year in 2023 and two Karyn Murphy Medals for grand final player of the match after back-to-back premierships with the Newcastle Knights.
“I’m very excited to return home to my family and in particular the club where I started, with all the girls that I started with – it’s really gone full circle,” Tamika said.
“I’ve watched all the games closely and I’ve had some of my really good friends still playing for the Broncos so I’ve even gone to Sydney to watch their games live when I’ve been able to, I’ve loved still supporting them while I’ve been away.
“Family is extremely important to me, so it means the world to be closer to them and near my sister living in Brisbane, and it’s just a quick flight home (to Rocky).
“I’m really excited to be working under Princey, I’ve got a few touch connections from back in the day and worked with him at the Auckland Nines when he was on staff – he’s really taken the Broncos program to the next level alongside Paul Dyer.
“It would be incredible to win a third premiership with the Broncos.
“I’m sure Princey will get the girls together and talk about our goals and values and what we need to do to achieve them as a team – I can’t wait to be back.”
Upton, who was granted an immediate release from her contract with the Knights on compassionate grounds last month, also revealed her Nan’s reaction to the news.
The Raiders have re-signed English second-rower Hollie-Mae Dodd for a further two seasons through to the end of 2026.
The 21-year-old is a foundation NRLW player with the Raiders, making her debut with the club in 2023.
Dodd has played 15 games for the Raiders over the past two seasons, returning from an ACL injury to play eight games this year.
“I’m so excited to have signed with the Raiders for a further two years,” Dodd said.
“I have loved being part of this club and I’m so keen to be back alongside the girls.”
Meanwhile the Eels have announced the signing of England international and four-time St Helens Challenge Cup winner, Paige Travis, on a two-year deal.
The dynamic second-rower, who joins England team-mates Dodd, Georgia Roache (Knights) and Francesca Goldthorp (Cowboys) in the NRLW, will move to Parramatta next season.
Travis is expected to add to her eight England caps in the historic March 1 Test against the Jillaroos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Elsewhere, the Titans have extended prop Ngatokotoru Arakua for the 2025 season.
The experienced forward boasts an impressive resumé that includes representing New Zealand and the Cook Islands on the international stage – including playing a part of the Moana camp at the most recent Pacific Championships.
She joins three other international players who have confirmed their home on the Gold Coast, re-signing until the end of the 2026 season.
Sienna Lofipo, Laikha Clarke and Sarina Masaga have all penned new deals as they chase premiership success on the Coast. All three played for Samoa in the recent Pacific Championships.
Dual international Evania Pelite will also stay a Titan for a further three years after inking a contract extension to remain on the Gold Coast until 2027.
The Queensland and Jillaroos representative, who also played for Samoa at the upcoming Pacific Championships, has played a major role in all four seasons at the club since joining as a foundation player in 2021.
The star fullback’s most recent campaign her best to date after claiming all three top awards at the Titans to recognise her standout performance.
Having built on her previous triumphs in touch football and winning Olympic gold in Rio as part of Australia’s Rugby 7s team, the 29-year-old now has her sights on achieving further success with the Titans upon re-committing.
“It means a lot to me to extend my time here. I love this club and I’ve had a lot of conversations with Murph about wanting to stay at the club long-term, so I’m really happy to signed until the end of 2027,” Pelite said.
Another Titan to commit to the club is Shaylee Bent, who will be extending her time on the Gold Coast until 2027.
Since joining the club in 2023, the Indigenous All Stars forward has played in every game since her arrivalto Parkwood.
“I love being here at the Titans and I’ve built really strong connections with the girls and with Murph [coach Karyn Murphy] over the past two seasons,” Bent said.
The Bulldogs have added twin sisters Anneka and Leilani Wilson to their squad for their inaugural NRLW season in 2025.
Both local juniors with St Christophers, the sisters return to Belmore having previously played in the club’s Tarsha Gale Cup and Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership sides.
“I’m really excited to bring both Anneka and Leilani back to the club for our inaugural NRLW campaign,” said head coach Blake Cavallaro.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with both sisters in the past at both club and rep level, where they have contributed to State of Origin and grand final victories in the pathways sphere.
In 2022, Leilani played in the second row and Anneka came off the bench for NSW in their 22-6 win over Queensland in the annual under 19s Origin clash.
The Parramatta Eels have announced that winger Zali Fay has extended her contract with the club, committing through to the end of the 2026 season.
“As a one-club player, wearing this jersey again means a lot to me, it would feel wrong to be anywhere else,” Fay said.
“I’m excited that I get this opportunity, it’s been a couple of years in the making but I feel as if we are closer than ever. This season is definitely something I’m looking forward to and so should our fans.”
In a statement released on Thursday, the club said that “after long and careful consideration they had agreed to the request on compassionate grounds”.
“The Newcastle Knights will always have a special place in my heart,” said Upton.
“This has been very difficult for me, because of how much I have loved representing the Knights and being part of the Hunter community.
“I am very grateful to Philip Gardner and Peter Parr for their understanding and support, I’m very proud of what we have been able to achieve together over the past three years.”
The Bulldogs have continued their build-up to the 2025 season with the signing of Maatuleio Fotu-Moala on a two-year deal.
Making her NRLW debut in 2024, Fotu-Moala joins the Bulldogs following an impressive rookie year that saw her make six appearances for the Dragons, scoring three tries and averaging 113 metres per match.
The 25-year-old winger capped off 2024 with an impressive showing in the Women’s Pacific Championships for Tonga XIII, having made her Test debut in 2022.
“Maatuleio has shown great potential as a full-time NRLW player over the last 12 months, and she will make a great addition to our inaugural squad,” said Bulldogsg head coach Blake Cavallaro.
The Knights have confirmed the signing of three players for their top 24 squad, with Tiana Davison, Grace Kukuatiand Joeli Morris locked in.
New Zealand international Davison is set to return to the club until the end of the 2027 season, fresh off back-to-back premierships, while Kukuati has also agreed to another season with the club for 2025.
Versatile youngster Morris enjoyed an outstanding 2024 season, highlighted by being named Harvey Norman Player of the Year and re-signing with the Knights until 2026.
The Bulldogs have continued their build-up to their debut season in 2025 with the signings of aunty-niece duo Shaniece Monschau and Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau, both key figures in the club’s Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership campaign in 2024.
A young half with the ability to play hooker, Shaquaylah has signed on until the end of 2026, while forward Shaniece has inked a one-year deal.
A forward with the ability to play anywhere in the pack, Shaniece impressed high-performance staff with her work ethic both on and off the field.
“Shaniece has shown plenty of resilience after overcoming injuries to cement a spot in our Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side and showed plenty of consistency at that level.”
Meanwhile, the Eels have re-signed Taneka Todhunter until 2026.
Born in Dubbo, the Wiradjuri Goannas junior is proud that she made the move from regional rugby league to first grade competition in Sydney.
The inspirational 22-year-old continues to reach her goals having achieved representation status with the Indigenous All Stars (2024), NSW U19 Country (2021), NSW U19 State of Origin (2021), and was awarded Vocational Player of the Year (NRLW) in 2024.
The Roosters have secured the signature of front-rower Rima Butleron a two-year deal starting in 2025.
The 26-year-old won an NRLW premiership with the Knights in 2023 and then represented Māori All Stars at the beginning of 2024.
“Rima is a front-rower who will add power to our pack, and I enjoyed working with her in this year’s Māori All Stars team,” said Roosters coach John Strange.
“She’s a player who brings a great mix of athleticism and game sense, and she’s proven herself at the highest levels of competition.”
The Knights have re-signed outside back Tenika Willison through to the end of the 2026 NRLW season.
Willison joined the Knights after completing her commitments for New Zealand Rugby, with her team winning Gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The 27-year-old played seven games for the Knights, averaging 109 metres per game and crossing for four tries.
“It was clear as soon as Tenika joined our pathways, she was going to add to our group on and off the field and she certainly has been a major contributor,” said Knights coach Ben Jeffries.
“Tenika is a team first character with an unquestionable work ethic, she works right across our group to help others and moving forward I can see her assisting development players like Lily-Ann White to get to the next level.”
The 20-year-old scored a try on debut in Round 1 against the Broncos and went on to plav every match in the centres for the Eels.
“I have really enjoyed my first season in the NRLW, and I appreciate the support that the Parramatta Eels, my teammates, and our supporters have given me,” said Owen.
“I think I have a lot to offer the NRLW. I love footy and I love the environment at the Eels, and how you can see it growing. There is a big future for the NRLW, and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Tonga international Metanoia Fotu-Moala has become the first Warriors signing from local football for the club’s reintroduction to the NRLW next year.
The 25-year-old is the third Fotu-Moala to become a contracted NRLW player following in the footsteps of older sibling Teuila and twin Maatuleio, who has joined the Bulldogs for their debut season in 2025.
An Otahuhu Leopards junior, front rower Noia – as she is widely known – is the Warriors’ 11th signing so far but the first secured out of grass roots rugby league in New Zealand.
Signed by the Warriors for 2025, 2026 (club option) and 2027 (mutual option), she has represented Tonga while she has played for the Counties-Manukau Stingrays and the Auckland Vulcans in the NZRL’s women’s premiership.
She joins Black Ferns star Shakira Baker and Bay of Plenty rugby union product Tyra Wetere as the latest signings for the club.
Baker, used at wing, centre and fullback in union, has been signed for 2025 and 2026 with a club option for 2027 while fullback-halfback Wetere has been locked in for 2025 and 2026.
Earlier, the club announced that Queensland Origin representative Emmanita Paki, double international Lavinia Tauhalaliku and New Zealand-born Gold Coast Titans forward Matekino Gray have been confirmed as the latest signings for Warriors before their comeback in 2025.
Paki has been secured for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Tauhalaliku for 2025 and 2026 with a club option for 2027 and 19-year-old Gray for the first two years with a mutual option for 2027.
Warriors NRLW head coach Ronald Griffiths had centre-winger Paki in the first of the Newcastle sides he guided to consecutive premierships in 2022 and 2023, Paki scoring a try in the 32-12 win over Parramatta in the 2022 grand final.
The 26-year-old Knights forward has been secured for 2025 and 2026 with a mutual option for 2027. It paves the way for the Auckland-born niece of the legendary Stacey Jones to rejoin the club as a player after having a role as a Warriors Community Foundation coordinator before linking with the Knights last season.
She is the latest Kiwi Ferns representatives to sign with the club after Mya Hill-Moana, Harata Butlerand Capri Paekau were confirmed as Warriors in 2025.
They join experienced Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls who will return to the club after signing a two-year deal for 2025 and 2026.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have announced the signing of Bridget Hoyto join their kennel in 2025.
Hoy made her NRLW debut with the Broncos this year after starring for the Tweed Seagulls in Queensland’s BMD Premiership earlier this season – scoring 12 tries in just eight matches.
Arriving on a two-year deall on, Hoy will reunite with Tweed teammate and talented half Ash Quinlan.
Earlier, the Bulldogs added youth and depth with the addition of Hope Millard and Elizabeth MacGregor for the 2025 season.
Millard, who represented NSW in this year’s Under 19’s State of Origin series, plays for the Illawarra Steelers Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team and was a member of the club’s 2023 premiership-winning Tarsha Gale Cup side.
MacGregor, a NSWCC Schoolgirls representative in 2023, was personally identified by Bulldogs coach Blake Cavallaro in Parkes as a 15-year-old.
Despite being just 18, Cavallaro believes the fledgling fullback will have plenty of impact on the club’s inaugural NRLW squad.
“Elizabeth is six-foot, she’s fast and she’s athletic,” Cavallaro said.
“She can play anywhere between fullback, wing and centre and her arrival to the squad will help to inject a spark that will positively influence her teammates.”
The Bulldogs have also signed Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership co-captain Sarahcen Oliver signing a one-year deal for next year’s NRLW campaign.
